Abuja:Mustapha Abdullahi, the newly elected President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has pledged to enhance domestic basketball leagues, improve player welfare, and secure sustainable funding for the sport’s development in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Abdullahi, who also serves as the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), made these commitments during his acceptance speech after winning the NBBF presidential election held in Abuja. He won 40 of the 48 votes, defeating former D’Tigers captain Olumide Oyedeji, who received eight votes. Former international basketball player Ejike Ugboaja received no votes, and Igoche Mark withdrew from the race due to concerns about the election’s fairness.
Ugo Udezue was elected unopposed as vice-president, being the only candidate for the position. Abdullahi outlined plans for reforms aimed at improving competition organization, grassroots development, and emerging talent opportunities. These reforms include enhancing players’ medical care, education, post-retirement opportunities, and improving conditions for coaches, referees, and technical officials.
Abdullahi emphasized the importance of establishing dependable domestic leagues with a clear competition calendar, stronger sponsorship, and better conditions for players. He also highlighted the need for attention to school and community basketball, pathways to club participation, scholarships, and national team selection.
He committed to supporting national teams, including D’Tigers, D’Tigress, and youth teams, through early preparation, fair selection, and professional planning. Women’s basketball and opportunities for athletes with disabilities will also be prioritized.
The NBBF president plans to pursue partnerships to enhance facilities, attract investment, and generate sustainable revenue for nationwide basketball development. He stressed that accountability, transparency, and adherence to the NBBF Constitution and FIBA regulations would guide the federation’s operations. Within his first 100 days, Abdullahi intends to conduct an institutional and facilities audit, engage stakeholders, pursue reconciliation, publish a unified competition calendar, and develop a four-year plan.